State Department
of Consumer Protection & Wilton Police Report Arrests
Of Unregistered Out-Of-State Home Improvement Contractors
Senator Toni Boucher (R-26) said she is gratified
that information she shared with the state Department
of Consumer Protection helped lead to a joint undercover
investigation with the Wilton Police Department that
resulted in the arrests of two unregistered home improvement
contractors from Long Island.
“It was really my constituents who sounded the
alarm when they approached my office, and area police
departments, for help. Their willingness to speak up
not only helped state and local enforcement authorities
with their investigation, but also helped to raise public
awareness of scams that can really hurt people,”
said Senator Boucher.
During a press conference at the Wilton Police Headquarters
on April 2nd, State Consumer Protection Commissioner
Jerry Farrell, Jr. thanked Senator Boucher and others
for bringing the issue to the attention of his department.
Senator Boucher thanked the state Department of Consumer
Protection and Wilton Police for their quick response
and outstanding work.
According to information released by the state Department
of Consumer Protection and Wilton Police, the two agencies
conducted an undercover operation with the cooperation
of a private homeowner. Two employees of S&H Contracting
were questioned by Wilton Police and state consumer
protection authorities after the homeowner signed a
contract for the work that was recommended by the home
improvement contractors. According to the state Department
of Consumer Protection and Wilton Police, neither man
was able to present a valid home improvement contractor
or salesman’s registration as required by state
law. Furthermore, the registration number they provided
for S&H Contracting belongs to an unrelated and
legitimate home improvement firm. Several charges have
been brought against the two men, Travis Joyce and Adam
Joyce, both of Babylon, New York.
“One of the complaints against these individuals
is that they told an older homeowner that a local fuel
company sent them to check out their fireplace. Of course,
they found problems with the fireplace and recommended
so-called emergency repairs. The fuel company had absolutely
no connection to these home contractors; it was just
a way to get into the house,” said Senator Boucher,
adding that this is not the first time that constituent
complaints to her legislative office have led to action
that helped state residents.
“When I was a State Representative, a constituent
called my office when he suspected problems with how
cash was being handled with the old vehicle emission
testing program. As you know, we made big changes to
that program following an investigation of this complaint.
Constituents have called about other illegal activities
that have led to further investigation and, ultimately,
action that benefited not just them, but people across
the state who were experiencing the same problem. That
is why I always tell people to not be shy – if
they suspect a serious problem or spot someone breaking
the law, speak up. Call my office. It can’t hurt
– and it just might help many others,” said
Senator Boucher.
Senator Boucher can be reached at 1-800-842-1421 or
at Toni.Boucher@cga.ct.gov.
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